Solmic Research GmbH has entered into a research collaboration with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) with the goal to elucidate the mode of action of natural extracts.
Natural extracts, such as active ingredients of plants, are the origin of medicine and are widely used for medical applications, especially in China, where they play a central role in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, despite empirical evidence over thousands of years, molecular mechanisms for the effectiveness of TCM in the treatment of various diseases are still lacking in most cases.
Natural extracts pose additional challenges, including lack of standardization, limited stability and insufficient water-solubility for use in biological assays to achieve reliable results. Moreover, complex extracts, often including dozens of different ingredients, are broadly active in a panoply of assays, making it impossible to determine modes of action by conventional methods.
SolMic Research and EMBL now combine their strengths in a collaboration to conduct mode of action studies for selected plant extracts employed in TCM.
SolMic´s proprietary technology portfolio allows the stable preparation of water-soluble extracts containing water-soluble and -insoluble ingredients.
Prof. Matthias Hentze, EMBL Director, works in the fields of molecular medicine, systems and RNA biology. His lab developed the method of enhanced RNA Interactome Capture (eRIC) that allows for the highly parallel investigation of responses by RNA-binding proteins. Applied to SolMic’s extracts, eRIC could deliver important information on molecular pathways affected by the application of the selected extracts.
This collaboration is transacted by EMBL Enterprise Management Technology Transfer GmbH (EMBLEM) the wholly-owned technology transfer arm of EMBL.
“SolMic has found a key to overcome a critical limitation for the molecular characterization of the modes of action of TCM extracts: reliable and reproducible water-solubility of the components to be studied” says Professor Matthias Hentze. “We are excited to apply EMBL’s methodologies, including proprietary technology developed by my laboratory, to unlock some of TCM’s secrets.”
“We are excited to join forces with EMBL, to tackle the challenge of establishing a strong scientific rationale for the use of traditional herbal medicines in the treatments for diseases in the fields of cancer, inflammation and metabolic disorders”, said Dr. Wolfgang Schönfeld, CEO of SolMic Research.
About SolMic
SolMic Research was founded in 2011 focussing on formulation technologies for novel pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetics. The technologies result in highly improved bioavailability and stability of the products and allow the preparation of complex mixtures such as plant extracts, non watersoluble oils, factors and vitamins. The proprietary technologies led to successful co-operations with pharmaceutical companies and the successful roll out of various products over the years for European and North-American markets. SolMic is currently entering the Chinese and Asian markets. A major focus is the area of herbal medicines used in Traditional Chinese Medicine improving quality, stability bioavailability and gain a better understanding of their mode of action.
Solmic Research GmbH
Merowingerplatz 1a
40225 Duesseldorf
Germany
Tel: +49 211 3020 1375
info@solmic-research.com
About EMBL
EMBL is Europe’s flagship laboratory for the life sciences. Established in 1974 as an intergovernmental organisation, EMBL is supported by over 20 member states. EMBL performs fundamental research in molecular biology, studying the story of life. The institute offers services to the scientific community; trains the next generation of scientists and strives to integrate the life sciences across Europe.
EMBL is international, innovative and interdisciplinary. Its more than 1600 staff, from over 80 countries, operate across six sites in Barcelona (Spain), Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Heidelberg (Germany), Hinxton (UK) and Rome (Italy). EMBL scientists work in independent groups and conduct research and offer services in all areas of molecular biology.
EMBL research drives the development of new technology and methods in the life sciences. The institute works to transfer this knowledge for the benefit of society.
About EMBLEM
EMBLEM, established in 1999, identifies, protects and commercializes the intellectual property developed in the EMBL world, from EMBL alumni and from non-EMBL third parties. EMBLEM currently manages a portfolio of more than 350 granted patents and patent applications, and has created 19 spin-out companies. EMBLEM facilitates and accelerates the transfer of innovative technology from basic research to industry by working closely with industrial partners spanning the biotech, IT and mechanical/electrical engineering markets and currently has more than 400 licensees of EMBL technologies.